HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-10-26 School Committee MinutesREADING SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Reading, Massachusetts
Regular Session October 26, 1998
CALL TO ORDER
Chair D'Antona called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Superintendent's
Conference Room. Present were School Committee members Cavicchi, Dahl,
D'Antona, Stohlman and Williams. Also present were Superintendent Harutunian and
Associate Superintendent Richards. Mr. Twomey arrived during executive session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 7:03 p.m. Ms. Cavicchi made a motion to enter into executive session for the
purpose of conducting strategy trategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with the
Teachers' Association, Custodians and Maintenance Workers, Cafeteria Employees,
Association of Secretaries and Clerks, Educational Assistants, Nurses and Tutors and to
discuss the possible sale or lease or real estate and pending litigation. To return to
regular session at approximately 7:30 p.m. Ms. Williams seconded the motion. The
vote was 5 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman and Ms. Williams.
CALL BACK TO ORDER
Chair D'Antona called the meeting back to order at 7:37 p.m.
HIGHLIGHTS
Dr. Harutunian informed the Committee that the artwork on the conference room walls
was the work of the students at the Killam Elementary School. Dr. Harutunian then
showed the Committee a video of the Parker Middle School students' new broadcast.
BILLS AND PAYROLL
There were no bills or payroll for this meeting.
CITIZEN'S INPUT
There was no citizen input.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that there are some Killam fifth graders who
have shown an interest in attending Parker Middle School next year. He advised that he
would keep the Committee advised regarding the number of students.
Dr. Harutunian advised that the crossing guard remains at Prescott and Summer.
Officer Veno will give the Superintendent a two -week notice before removing the
crossing guard from the intersection.
Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that the Selectmen will be meeting tomorrow
night and one item on the agenda is a petition to prohibit parking on Edgemont
Regular Session -2- October 26, 1998
from West Street to Stewart Street. Dr. Harutunian advised that he would be requesting
that the Selectmen take no action at this time.
Dr. Harutunian discussed the per pupil expenditure for Reading and surrounding towns.
Jane Fiore and Sharmeen Irani gave a presentation on the results of the Reading Youth
Risk Behavior Survey.
Chair D'Antona asked whether there was any comparison of survey results to like
communities.
Ms. Irani advised that most communities do not like to share this information.
Jane Fiore advised that the results from this survey would serve as a baseline for future
surveys.
Chair D'Antona thanked the for Task Force for their work.
At 8:45 p.m. Chair D'Antona stated that the Committee would take a short break.
At 8:51 p.m. Chair D'Antona called the meeting back to order.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE GOALS
The School Committee discussed the goals.
Mr. Stohlman moved to accept the goals as delineated in the memorandum of October
26`h with the addition of the goal "To develop long range plan toward equity of support
for extra curricular activities ". Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. Ms. Williams moved ft
an amendment to include the phrase "and bystanders" in the respect and dignity goal.
Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 on the motion as amended. Ms.
Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Mr. Stohlman moved to accept the Mission for the Reading Public Schools dated April
1998 Mr. Dahl seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms.
D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomev and Ms. Williams.
Mr. Dahl moved to accept the Vision Statements with corrections and additions as
previously noted. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi,
Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams.
Regular Session -3- October 26, 1998
Ms. Cavicchi moved to accept the Beliefs as written. Mr. Dahl seconded the motion.
The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey
and Ms. Williams.
Mr. Stohlman made a motion to approve the Strategic Planning goals as written. Ms.
Cavicchi seconded the motion. The vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms.
D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams.
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At 9:35 p.m. Mr. Twomey moved to adjourn. Ms. Cavicchi seconded the motion. The
vote was 6 -0 Ms. Cavicchi, Mr. Dahl, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and
Ms. Williams.
ectf illy subm'
Harry . Harutunian, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools